News

02March2018

Challenges set for businesses in D2N2 area

Fully funded coaching and training and an opportunity for a place on a major infrastructure supply network are on offer to businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) as part of a new competition.

The ‘SME Innovation Challenges’ initiative was launched this week (Tuesday 27 February) at the iHub in Derby – part of the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone, overseen by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) - to small and medium-sized enterprises. Successful applicants will receive business coaching and training and those reaching the final stages will have the opportunity to pitch in front of investors and funding providers.

D2N2 is the LEP for the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area and works with its areas businesses, local authorities, skills and training providers and community and voluntary organisations to grow its areas economy, with the aim of creating 55,000 new jobs in ten years (2013-2023).

AMEY, the leading supplier of consulting and infrastructure support services both in the UK and internationally, has set down this year’s SME Innovative Challenges which focuses on finding solutions to poor air quality resulting from congestion on the UK’s roads.

Chris Pook, D2N2 Growth Hub Manager, welcomed delegates to the launch event saying: “This is a great opportunity for businesses to step up their game and to become a supplier to one of the UK’s leading companies.

“This is a fully funded programme so there’s no cost to the businesses taking part. Plus, the coaching and training that’s on offer will help businesses throughout the application process and should put them in a competitive position when it comes to future pitching scenarios.”

Paul Rose, Technical Director at AMEY Consulting said: “Air quality is a hot topic for local authorities and we face increasing pressure from our clients to look at ways to tackle the problem.

“Through the SME Innovation Challenges initiative we hope to invite fresh thinking approaches with tried and tested ideas or brand new innovations. We’re keen to encourage applications from companies across all sectors, including those not traditionally aligned to the sectors we currently work in.”